Voluntary Voice October 2019

Welcome to the October edition of Voluntary Voice...

The year is certainly flying by and I’m realising that as I approach my one year anniversary of starting at York CVS, I can no longer call myself ‘new’! What a year it has been…

You will see below that we said farewell to our previous Chair, Jane Hustwit as well as three of our trustees who all had to step down due to our rotation rules. I am delighted to welcome our new Chair, David Harbourne and new trustees, Katie, Ben, Luke and Matthew who all bring a wealth of experience and skills to our board. See below for more information about David and his aspirations for York CVS.

We have lots going on at York CVS – I’m very much looking forward to our Voluntary Sector Assembly on 31 October where we will be exploring how county lines, modern slavery and prevent impact on the people we are all working with. These criminals prey on the most disadvantaged in our community and we should all take responsibility for being aware of what’s going on and understand how we can raise awareness to protect the most vulnerable. So if you haven’t booked on, please do.

A final word regarding Brexit (sorry!) We are keen to understand if any of you are seeing any impact of Brexit yet. Please do let us know so we can gather information from across the sector and try to do something about it.

Alison Semmence
Chief Executive

York CVS Welcomes New Chair
Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week. We said a fond farewell and a huge thank you to Trustees Jane Hustwit, George Wood, Sally Hutchinson and Matt Hick and we welcomed and introduced our newly co-opted Trustees David Harbourne, our new Chair, Luke Norbury and Katie Speed. We also saw the members elect both Matthew Knight and Ben Vulliamy to the Board of Trustees. We are delighted to welcome, David, Luke, Katie, Matthew and Ben to the organisation.

David visited the York CVS offices earlier this week so we grabbed the opportunity to ask him a few questions...

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Most of my working life has been spent in and around vocational education – apprenticeships, further education, all of that. That’s what brought me home to North Yorkshire about 20 years ago, when I got a job with the local Training and Enterprise Council.

Soon after that, I was involved in setting up a community foundation covering York and North Yorkshire. It’s now the Two Ridings Community Foundation, and does fantastic work.

My wife had Huntington’s Disease and I was her main carer until she died in 2009. I got a lot of help and advice from a charity called Carers’ Resource and when the chance came, I joined their board of trustees. I stepped down late last year.

So, why York CVS?
I’ve been involved with charities and community groups for over 40 years now and I know the difference they make to so many people. Getting together to share knowledge, experience and ideas makes perfect sense – we can learn so much from each other. York CVS helps make this happen. I just thought, I’d love to be involved!

What do you see as the role of Chair?
Trustees provide advice, offer ideas and ask searching questions. We’ve also got to keep a close eye on resources and the legal aspects of running a charity. At the same time we have to leave plenty of room for the Chief Executive and her team to do their jobs – after all, they’re the experts! The Chair’s main role is to make sure we get the balance right so that we help shape the future and monitor progress without getting too involved in day-to-day decisions. It’s also important for the chair to keep in touch with developments in policy, funding and so on that affect CVS members.

What is your vision for York CVS?
I have to be careful here! I’ve only just joined the board of trustees, and I’m really keen to hear what other people think about the future. What I will say is that York CVS must stay true to its aims and ideals. That means promoting the whole concept of voluntary action and showing the very real difference it makes to people, communities and the whole of York. Over the coming months, we’ll be testing ideas which lead to a strong, clear vision for the future – watch this space!

Meet the York CVS Team - Safe Places York
Over the next few issues of Voluntary Voice we'll be introducing our Team here at York CVS and highlighting some of the projects we manage. This month we'd like to introduce Maria Munday, our new Safe Places Co-ordinator.

I recently joined York CVS as a Co-ordinator of Safe Places in York. The scheme launched last year with funding from York BID to boost the city’s reputation as a friendly, welcoming and accessible place for everyone. This year the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner in North Yorkshire is funding the development of the scheme.

There are currently 19 Safe Places registered across York with many in the City centre; more to come online very soon… A mix of locations including libraries, places of interest, cafes, banks and shops. These locations are open to anyone who feels vulnerable when they are out and about. This could include younger people, disabled people, those living with dementia, mental health issues or a learning disability. But it could be anyone!

I’m really keen to talk to groups and organisations to promote the use of the scheme within York. Please contact me directly if you think you can help promote the scheme in any way or if you’d like more information, have any questions or would like a registration form: maria.munday@yorkcvs.org.uk. I really look forward to hearing from you!

Time to Change Employer Pledge
We’ve signed the Time To Change Employer Pledge to show our commitment to changing the way we all think and act about mental health in the workplace, and to make sure that employees who are facing these problems feel supported. Over 1,200 organisations, employing over 2 million people, have now signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge which is free of charge and available to organisations based in England. If your organisation is committed to ending the stigma surrounding mental health, please click the link below.

More information

Changes to ordering repeat prescriptions
Before 1 September 2019 pharmacies were able to order an individual's repeat prescription on their behalf however, the NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) brought about changes which now mean individuals need to order their own repeat prescription from their GP surgery.

Healthwatch York want to know how this change has affected you. They welcome your feedback, good and bad! To find out more information and to complete the online survey please follow the link below. If you would like a paper version of this survey please email: healthwatch@yorkcvs.org.uk or call the Healthwatch Team on 01904 621133.

Tell us about your experiences

Voluntary Sector Focus Group - Multiple Long-term Health Conditions
Date and time: Tuesday 3 December, 10:00 - 12:00
Location: Priory Street Centre
The public health team is coproducing a project to better understand the lives and experiences of people who are living with more than one long-term health condition. As part of this piece of work we are organising a focus group in order to gain the views of the Voluntary Sector. If your organisation works with or supports people who live with multiple long-term health conditions, we would like to invite you to share your views and experiences. Discussions from the event will support our social care partners to plan their services and develop prevention/support opportunities in this area.

If you live in York and live with more than one long-term health condition, there is also an online survey to capture your views and experiences. Complete the survey online.

Book online

Sector News

Modern Slavery is here in York and North Yorkshire
This week 14 – 21 October is Anti-slavery week. Many people around the country believe that slavery ended many years ago. Nothing could be further from the truth. Slavery now takes many different forms, most of which are present here in York and North Yorkshire. Recent cases identified by the local police, councils and community organisations in this region include: cannabis farming, child exploitation, domestic servitude, human trafficking for sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, nail bars, vulnerable young people carrying drugs from urban centres, care homes, domiciliary care and hand car washes.

An information leaflet has been published by North Yorkshire and York Modern Slavery Partnership to raise awareness of Modern Slavery and to provide guidance on what signs to look out for and how you can stop it.

Voluntary Sector Assembly - County Lines, Modern Slavery and Prevent
Date and time: 31 October, 10:00 – 14:00
Location: Priory Street Centre
You can also join our next Voluntary Sector Assembly to actively discuss how, as a sector, we can begin to challenge some of these issues. For more information and to book online please click the button below.

Book online

Is your organisation worried about Brexit?
It's been difficult (to say the least) to keep up to date with Brexit negotiations but if your organisations has any concerns or you're expecting or experiencing any issues in relation to Brexit, we'd like to hear from you. Please get in touch with Anna Boad, Communications and Engagement Officer (anna.boad@yorkcvs.org.uk).

NCVO has produced guidance for the voluntary sector which looks at the potential impacts and provides information on how to prepare, regardless of the outcome. You can view the guidance online. For more general guidance, please visit the Gov.UK website which lists five ways voluntary sector organisations can get ready for Brexit.

Free Safeguarding Children Bitesize Learning
The City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership (CYSCP) has a new programme of free bitesize learning sessions that are open to any practitioners and volunteers working with children and young people and/or their families and carers in York. The partnership has also published their Annual Report 2018-19 which gives an excellent overview of what the safeguarding children’s partnership is doing in York.

Book on a session

Are you over 50 and looking for employment?
Experience Counts are running free programmes to look at what your future opportunities might be and to help you get ready for them. The next programme starts on the 22 October. There are a couple of places still available for the 9 October group as they are happy to take individuals from week 2 to week 6.

More information

Have you completed the Third Sector Trends Survey?
There is only a short time left to complete the Third Sector Trends Survey, which helps to inform national and local government, health organisations and charitable foundations so they can make good decisions on how to invest in the third sector. Whether your organisation or community group is large or small, flourishing or struggling - or just carrying on more or less as normal - they would like to hear from you.

Complete the survey

Help develop Live Well York
The Live Well York Annual Survey is now live. The survey asks for your views on a range of topics including; accessibility, content, quality and areas for improvement. Your thoughts and experiences are vital to informing the continual development of the website, so please take a few minutes to complete the survey by clicking the link below. The survey closes on Friday 8 November.

Complete the survey

York Family Loss Café Launches
A new York Family Loss Café will launch on Saturday 26 October between 14:00 - 16:00 at The Community Room, Tesco Askham Bar, Tadcaster Road. The café will provide information, activities and support to anyone experiencing loss. For more information please contact: gb@bemorelifecoaching.co.uk or KirstyPearson@relaxkids.com, and register your attendance online.

Free tool to help small charities measure happiness
A free digital tool has been created to help small charities measure the happiness levels of the people they are supporting. The Happiness Pulse has been created by the charity Happy City with funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. A free version of the tool has been made available to small charities and community groups to help them measure wellbeing levels. This aims to show how their services and projects are impacting on the happiness of their service users.

Read the full article from Charity Digital

Funding and Development

Funding and development support
If your organisation needs support with guidance about legal structures, governance issues, identifying potential funding sources and developing bids, contact our Funding and Development Officer, Jane Granville. You can also search for local and national funding sources on our website.

Music for All
Deadline: 1 November
UK-based groups, schools and organisations that are bringing music to their communities can apply for up to £2,500 from Music for All. Community grants are given for the purchase of instruments, associated equipment or for teaching costs. However, all applications are judged on their merit and other project elements may also be considered but priority will be given to applicants who are most in need of help.

More information

Community Asset Fund Sport England
Sport England's Community Asset Fund is their new capital fund dedicated to enhancing the spaces in your local community. Sport England has a number of things that they want to achieve with this investment, but most importantly they want to help local organisations to create good customer experiences and financially sustainable facilities that benefit their community for years to come – which may mean providing help to get things up and running too. Click below for more information.

More information

British Science Week 2020 Community Grant Scheme
Deadline: 11 November
The mission of the British Science Week Community Grant Scheme is to expand the audiences that engage with science and self-identify as having an interest in science by empowering and supporting community groups to run their own science activities during British Science Week (6 to 15 March 2020). Grants of £500 to £1,000 are available for community groups that work directly with audiences who are traditionally under-represented and currently not engaged in science activity.

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Support for Community Businesses
The School for Social Entrepreneurs are looking for community businesses all across the Yorkshire and North East Region, as the application window for their 9 month long Community Business Trade Up Programme (CBTP) is now open until 27 November. CBTU supports community businesses to increase their sustainability with learning modules, a £10K matched trading fund and a support network of like-minded peers.

More information

Events

All Age Learning Disability Strategy Launch
Date and time: 21 October, 09:30 - 12:30
Location: Priory Street Centre
The Learning Disability Partnership is launching the All Age Learning Disability Strategy at a free event, particularly aimed at people from health and social care organisations, education, the police, charities, people with learning disabilities and their families and carers. The event will outline the local picture, their consultation and priority areas to make York a learning disability inclusive City.

More information

Making Homes Fit for the Future
Date and time: 30 October, 18:45 - 21:00
Location: Priory Street Centre
Join York Community Energy for their AGM (non-members welcome) and an evening of inspiring talks on cutting carbon footprints and energy bills while improving the comfort of homes.

More information

Alcoholics Anonymous Public Information Awareness Presentation
Date and time: 1 November, 13:00 - 16:00
Location: Friends (Quakers) Meeting House
This Open Forum, organised by the York & District Public Information Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, will give you and fellow professionals an opportunity for networking whilst also learning more about the fellowship of AA in York from people who are involved with AA’s 12 Step Programme of recovery. A light lunch will be served. Please RSVP (for catering purposes): a.a.p.i.yorkanddistrictawareness@gmail.com

Researching with You
Date and time: 4 November, 18:30 - 21:30
Location: Priory Street Centre
A celebration of co-production as part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Sciences. During this free event, which includes a food and drink reception, you will hear examples of ways in which you can shape and collaborate on exciting research taking place at, and in association with, the University of York.

More information and book online

Wheelchair Service User Forum
Date and time: 5 November, 13:30 - 16:30
Location: Priory Street Centre
This event is aimed at service users, providers and practitioners and will be used to help inform future service development. The forum will provide an update about services and personal wheelchair budgets, give attendees the opportunity to provide feedback, look at future ways of monitoring service delivery and quality improvements and inform contract management and future commissioning intentions. To register your attendance, please email: voyccg.engagement@nhs.net, telephone: 01904 555870 or write to: NHS Vale of York CCG, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA

York Citizen Food Assembly
Date and time: 8 November, 09:30 - 15:00
Location: Priory Street Centre
As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences and Green Great Britain Week, York Environmental Sustainability Institute (YESI) and IKnowFood at the University of York, along with Good Food York have come together to hold a Citizen Food Assembly to gather the views and opinions of York Citizens on York's food system. During the event they will be discussing issues such as food poverty, nutrition, sustainable supply chains and foodwaste.

Book online

The Lasting Difference
Date and time: Monday 11 November, 10:00 - 16:00
Location: Priory Street Centre
With funding in decline and demand on the rise, charities, social enterprises and public services are struggling for survival and long-term sustainability. Based on the popular ‘Lasting Difference’ toolkit, this practical workshop introduces the paradoxes, principles and practices of sustainable organisations. Discounted rates for York CVS members.

More information

Paying for care? Know your rights
Date and time: Thursday 21 November, 10:00 - 14:00
Location: Priory Street Centre
York Carers Centre are inviting carers to join them on Carers Rights Day for a range of talks and information about self-funding care. Please call them to book on: 01904 715490. Lunch and refreshments are included and you can bring the person that you care for.

More information

Making Research Count
Making Research Count at the University of York has a number of events coming up and they can offer a limited amount of free places for voluntary sector organisations.

20 November 2019 - Is there a ‘best’ time for a person with dementia to move to a care home: emerging findings

11 December 2019 - Conceptualising and Responding to Self-Neglect: The Challenge for Adult Safeguarding

15 January 2020 - Supporting autistic adults without learning difficulties: what does the evidence tell us?

Wilberforce Trust Santa Fun Run
Date and time: 30 November, 11:30 - 16:30
Location: York Knavesmire
Walk, jog or sprint the 3.2k racetrack. You can bring your dog, your pushchair or your wheelchair – everyone is welcome! Help the Wilberforce Trust raise money for their new Living and Learning Zone for people with sight or hearing loss. All runners will be getting a Santa suit (or an elf suit for younger runners), a runner’s number and a medal upon completion. You can also get a selfie with Santa's reindeers before they head back to the North Pole!

More information

Volunteering

Keep an eye on our volunteering page for more volunteering opportunities like the ones below and don't forget to add your opportunities too.

Add a volunteering opportunity

Volunteer Yorsensory Outreach Van Driver
Organisation: Wilberforce Trust
Closing date: 31 December
The Wilberforce Trust are looking for volunteers to drive the Outreach van to areas in York and North Yorkshire. At the heart of the Yorsensory Outreach Mobile Unit Service is a desire to work with partners and offer services to communities, who may find it difficult to access services.

More information

Deaf Mentor Volunteer
Organisation: Lollipop
Closing date: 31 December
You will work one-to-one or in groups, alongside Lollipop's Mentor Supervisor and Activity Leaders, to build the confidence, resilience and self-esteem of members, respond appropriately to their individual needs and help prepare them for adult life. No experience needed as full training and supervision will be provided. Knowledge of BSL and/or experience of working with young people with additional needs desirable but not essential. If you are willing to share your time, skills and ideas to help Lollipop's members reach their full potential, this could be the perfect volunteer role for you.

More information

Jobs

For a range of voluntary sector jobs, visit the jobs page on our website.

Service Manager
Organisation: Brunswick Organic Nursery
Salary: £25,056 per annum
Deadline: 23 October 2019
Do you thrive on being at the centre of operations? Are you perceptive, reflective and able to think holistically about people? Are you energised when creating opportunities which enable others to develop? Are you highly organised and able to shape good information systems? If the answer to these questions is yes, click the more information button below to apply.

More information

Conservation Research Officer
Organisation: York Consortium for Conservation & Craftsmanship (YCCC)
Salary: £18,750 for 25 hours a week
Deadline: 3 November
The role will be very varied and encompass a number of distinct, but complementary, projects and work streams all geared to priming the YCCC (and its charitable foundation) for the next phase of its development. The role calls for someone with a broad interest in heritage who is self-motivated, energetic, flexible, mature in outlook, analytical, business-like and with good people and networking skills. The role is a wonderful opportunity to develop a strong heritage network and make a very visible personal impact.

More information

Top Tweets...

Are you following @YorkCVS on Twitter? Don't forget to '@ us' so we can retweet and love your tweets! Here's just some of our favourites from the past couple of weeks...

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Visit: www.mysightyork.org

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